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- Understanding paleolithic human coastal adaptations in southwetern Iberian Peninsula (Paleocoast Project)Publication . Marreiros, Joao; Duarte, D. N.; Regala, Frederico; Dores, Tiago; Francisco, Rui; Soares, RicardoThe geological and geomorphological formations in the Atlantic shore of Southern Portugal in Algarve are characterized by karstic formations. Karstic features, such as natural caves and shelters, have long been seen as an attractive ecological and geological landscape to early human occupation during the Pleistocene and Early Holocene. The project PaleoCoast, Paleolithic Human Coastal Adaptations in Southwestern Iberian Peninsula, aims to locate and identify coastal karst formation, and assess its speleological and geological characterization, and archaeological potential. This poster introduces the PaleoCoast research project, including research scope, goals and methods, and an overview on the preliminary results from the pilot study conducted in 2017.
- Importância das plantas do sapal para reter os metais que chegam à Ria Formosa devido às atividades humanasPublication . Silva, Manuela; Duarte, D. N.; Chicharo, LuisOs sapais são ecossistemas costeiros, na transição entre a terra e o mar, que se caracterizam por ser colonizados por plantas vasculares superiores, herbáceas e arbustivas, que apresentam grande resistência à salinidade, e que por isso se designam de halófitas. Estas plantas desenvolveram ao longo do tempo estratégias de adaptação, que lhes permitem resistir a períodos de submersão, mais ou menos longos, consoante se localizam em baixo, médio ou alto sapal.
- Metals from human activities in a coastal Lagoon Saltmarsh - Sediment toxicity and phytoremediation by Sarcocornia fruticosaPublication . Silva, Manuela; Aníbal, Jaime; Duarte, D. N.; Veloso, N.; Patrício, F.; Chicharo, LuisAnthropogenic pressure on coastal areas has been increasing in the last decades, threating the saltmarshes and the ecosystem services they provide. Sarcocornia fruticosa can have an important role in sequestration of metals from human activities. This study evaluated the effect of metal toxicity in saltmarsh sediment (measured by Ecological Risk Index-ERI) on S. fruticosa ability to metal (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn) remediation (Enrichment Factor and metal translocation). The impact of urbanization was studied through the metal loads on stormwaters during two main rainfall events, and the industrial impact was assessed through data analyses in a saltmarsh area influenced by a stream that receives industrial runoffs. The S. fruticosa response on metal remediation was affected by ERI. In more polluted locations, retained metals on roots and prevented the most toxic (Cd and Pb) from reaching the aerial organs, avoiding tissues death and metal remobilisation to the saltmarsh. Meanwhile, in rhizosediments with conditions to high metal bioavailability, S. fruticosa transported Cd and Pb to aerial organs, but used the Zn translocation to decrease their toxicity. This halophyte resilience is important to saltmarsh metal sequestration in high toxicity conditions, and allows the maintenance of other ecosystem services, contributing to the environmental protection and public health.
- Integrated approach to assess ecosystem health in harbor areasPublication . Bebianno, Maria João; Pereira, C.; Rey, F.; Cravo, Alexandra; Duarte, D. N.; D'Errico, G.; Regoli, F.Harbors are critical environments with strategic economic importance but with potential environmental impact: health assessment criteria are a key issue. An ecosystem health status approach was carried out in Portimão harbor as a case-study. Priority and specific chemical levels in sediments along with their bioavailability in mussels, bioassays and a wide array of biomarkers were integrated in a biomarker index (IBR index) and the overall data in a weight of evidence (WOE) model. Metals, PAHs, PCBs and HCB were not particularly high compared with sediment guidelines and standards for dredging. Bioavailability was evident for Cd, Cu and Zn. Biomarkers proved more sensitive namely changes of antioxidant responses, metallothioneins and vittellogenin-like proteins. IBR index indicated that site 4 was the most impacted area. Assessment of the health status by WOE approach highlighted the importance of integrating sediment chemistry, bioaccumulation, biomarkers and bioassays and revealed that despite some disturbance in the harbor area, there was also an impact of urban effluents from upstream.